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Home » News Centre » Press Releases » CPS Concludes review of Roger Sylvester Case

CPS Concludes review of Roger Sylvester Case

16/06/2005

The Crown Prosecution Service has today concluded after very careful and lengthy consideration that there is insufficient evidence to justify the prosecution of any person in relation to the tragic death of Roger Sylvester. Solicitors representing Mr Sylvester's family and those representing the police officers were informed this morning, as were Essex police who conducted the investigation.

Mr Sylvester, who lived in Tottenham, North London, died in January 1999 after being restrained by officers at St Ann 's Hospital Tottenham pending the arrival of a doctor.

Since that date there has been an inquest, completed in October 2003, and a subsequent judicial review of the inquest verdict, which concluded in November 2004.

This latest consideration of all the evidence, including that given at the inquest, has been in progress since the conclusion of the inquest. The review was undertaken by a senior CPS lawyer, with advice from leading counsel. The CPS awaited the outcome of the judicial review of the inquest verdict, carefully studied the judgment of Mr Justice Collins and considered further representations from the family, before arriving at this decision.

There has been regular contact with those representing Mr Sylvester's family and the reviewing lawyer has personally met with members of the family. A detailed explanation of the reasons why there should not be a prosecution has been provided to the family's representatives. We have offered to meet the family again to explain our decision further.

Media enquiries to CPS Press Office, 020 7710 6088